Doctors end strike after successful talks with govt

QUETTA:

The Grand Health Alliance has announced an end to its strike after the Balochistan government and GHA settled their differences during negotiations on Wednesday.

Following the successful talks, medical services have been restored at all hospitals, much to the relief of the general public.

According to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, all matters have been resolved amicably and the GHA has also given the assurance that it would refrain from future strikes and protests.

He also said officials from the Pakistan Medical Association had mediated in the negotiations between the Alliance and the government.

He made it clear that the decision of the Balochistan High Court would be fully implemented and all orders of the BHC would be followed.

He added that Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar were committed to providing quality healthcare services to the general public.

The spokesperson mentioned that the ongoing reforms in the health department were for the greater public interest and would be continuously maintained. The government clarified that public hospitals would be transformed into model health care centres for public service.

The resources of the health department were a trust of the poor and their proper utilization would be ensured, he said.

The spokesperson further said that no illegal strike or action would be tolerated in the future, that the government was determined to uphold its authority, and that government institutions would be run in accordance with the Constitution and laws.

The Balochistan government has announced a coordinated approach to resolving the legitimate demands of the medical staff, he added.

Rind emphasized that the suspension of medical services, in light of public difficulties, was unacceptable and that uninterrupted medical services would be ensured at government hospitals.

He concluded that these actions had highlighted the Balochistan government's commitment to public service and demonstrated its serious intent to complete the ongoing reforms in the health sector.